The other day in one of our meetings, Autumn was remarking about a friend who is a successful actress, having a baby and launching a new clothing line, asking out loud, “How does she do it all?” That is a question we often ask ourselves here at Move LifeStyle.  Since there is no single path to success, and everyone’s process is a little different, we’ve been fortunate to learn from each other’s attempts to juggle life, families, careers and everything in between.  Being a woman has added challenges, and it has been stories of women who triumph, despite the possible pitfalls, that have resonated with us as we navigate this career landscape ourselves. Girl Friday is the embodiment of that line of questioning, and is one of our favorite columns here at Move LifeStyle.  We are inspired by the lives of working women and the circuitous paths that their lives take.  Here are a few of our favorites, in the hope that you will be as inspired as we have been.

Jesse Draper

Jesse Draper has built the business empire Valley Girl Inc., by talking about, well, business. A refreshing twist on typical number-crunching suit shows, her syndicated web talk program, The Valley Girl Show, can be accurately described as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show for business.” A typical day on the set of The Valley Girl Show may involve pink umbrellas, boas, or pom-poms, in addition to any number of silly parlor games for the unsuspecting Silicon Valley entrepreneur.  Dovetailing on the success of her show, Jesse has started a networking organization for women in business, revealing her soft spot for helping women navigate the stereotypically masculine working world. –Jenn

Photography by: Lindsey Freitas

Jenny Mollen Biggs

Actress, Writer, and schadenfreude connoisseur, Jenny Mollen Biggs lives in a world that many of us only wish to visit someday: the world of imaginary things. Both reviled by conservatives and heralded by the Huffington Post, Jenny’s social media presence is unmistakably that of a post-modern provocateur, consistently delivering ironic self-reflective tweets and Instagram photos to instigate and amuse. In this newfound role as a spinner of tall tales, Jenny has written a standing column for Playboy’s The Smoking Jacket, aptly titled “What She Said,” and recently signed a book deal with St Martin’s Press for her collection of comedic essays entitled “I Like You Just The Way I Am.” –Jenn

Photography by: Adam Hendershott

Erika Brechtel

Already a fan of Erika Brechtel’s popular blog, Small Shop Studio, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting her earlier this year at an event for Restoration Hardware. We immediately bonded over our conversation about Hawaii, the challenges of being working mothers and the treat of being out with our husbands for the evening. Erika’s graphic design business is her bread and butter, helping companies define their personal brand. Her stylish self-designed home was recently featured on The Glitter Guide, (photographed by Jen Daigle, who also took these lovely images of Erika and her family). Classy, focused, business-minded and creative, Erika is the kind of woman I look up to and I am so happy to have had the pleasure of getting to know her this year. I know you’ll enjoy her, too. –Autumn

Photography by: Jennifer Daigle

Katrina Amato

There’s no question that Katrina Amato is alluring. She’s graceful, poised. I first encountered Katrina in choreography class while studying dance in college, and immediately found her intriguing–her sincere eyes, kind demeanor, incredible dance ability. Beyond Katrina’s earthly talents lies a woman who’s grounded and level-headed. Yes, she’s a working fashion model, but as a practiced Yogi, she has a true passion for bettering the world around her. Currently mentoring young girls interested in careers in the modeling industry, she offers guidance on how to navigate the uglier side of beauty. Also a gifted yoga instructor, Katrina teaches private and small group classes in her sanctuary-like home studio. Committed to empowering women of all ages and sizes in a safe and comfortable environment, Katrina aims to help women relax, find their inner light and leave class feeling like a goddess. Katrina is true inspiration, inside and out. –Ashley

Photography by: Kristen Honey

Megan Hunt

Megan Hunt first appeared on my radar in 2008, when I was engaged and trolling the still fairly small online wedding blogosphere. Hunting for wedding inspiration, I saw Megan’s gorgeous vintage glam wedding, and her handmade felt bouquets were being carried by bride after bride. My interest piqued. I followed the online trail to her blog, Princess Lasertron, where I fell in love with her direct, off-the-cuff writing style and her quirky-confident fashion sense. Now she has an adorable little girl, a new business venture, Hello Holiday and a passion for inspiring women of all ages. You’re about to fall in love, too. –Autumn

Photography by: Jessica Ewald

Let us know in the comments below who has been your favorite Girl Friday! If you would like to nominate someone to be a Girl Friday, please contact us here.

Girl Friday is a phrase more common to the 1940s and 50s, defined as “a female employee who has a wide range of duties,” and is most recognizable from the film His Girl Friday. Here at Move LifeStyle, we’re resurrecting its saucy vibe for the title of our last column of the week which profiles inspiring women in the workforce. If you like this series, click here for more Girl Friday Interviews.

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time for a little recharge after the winter doldrums. It’s important to celebrate the little things; for me, it’s those fleeting moments that I get to spend with friends. So to add to our month of celebrations, we planned a rustic Bloody Mary Brunch.  When I’m old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint. With a lot of wonderful chums, good music, and booze around.
And a damn good kitchen to cook in. ― Ava Gardner I can’t think of a better way to spend a late lazy morning than with my girlfriends. Our lives on-the-go can take their toll, so we all need to make space to relax.

A brunch need not be fussy to be fun, especially since we’re all so busy. We invited our friend Tania over for some quality catch-up time, Ashley made a crustless quiche with a green salad, paired with a gorgeous cheese plate that Autumn brought, and naturally, I took care of the drinks. As far as cocktails are concerned, Bloody Marys are the perfect savory beverage. Bloody Marys are great both in the spring and fall, and right before the peak of the summer, when all you want is a cold beer or something refreshing with citrus and gin in it. I happen to love salt over sweet most days of the week, so this cocktail is one of my favorites.

The centerpiece of our brunch was the Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. I think a Bloody Mary should be overflowing with tasty things, so why not let your guests choose their own adventure? We filled our bar with celery stalks, Slim Jims™, (for those who like a little meat in their Bloody Mary), sweet pickles, dill pickles, cornichons, smoked olives and stuffed olives, cocktail onions, tiny sweet peppers, lemon wheels and fresh carrot stalks.

I love introducing people to tasty Bloody Marys because most people have only had terrible ones. First of all, your Bloody Mary mix will either make or break your Bloody Mary. It is EVERYTHING. I have tried making my own in the past, but this time Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning took all the guess work out of making our Bloody Mary mix.  And now, I will never try to make my own mix again. This seasoning makes a flawless Bloody Mary. All you have to do is add it to your tomato juice. (Or to your Clamato juice if you like your Marys a little briny). We made a fun little video to show you how:

Demitri’s makes effortless Bloody Marys, and with four different flavors, there’s something for everyone. My personal favorite is the Chipotle Habañero because I love the spice. As an added bonus, Bloody Mary Seasoning doubles as a marinade or seasoning for food, or you can even use it to season some cocktail cousins: the Michelada or Sangrita.

That’s pretty much all you need to have a great mini celebration: great food, great friends and a Bloody Mary Bar!  We’re even going to throw in a little kicker, by giving you everything you need to throw your own Bloody Mary Brunch. Check out our fantastic giveaway below!

GUESS WHAT WE’RE GIVING AWAY

Everything you need to have your own Bloody Mary Brunch

(1) 8oz Bottle of Demitri’s Classic Bloody Mary Seasoning
(1) 8oz Bottle of Demitri’s Chipotle Bloody Mary Seasoning
(1) 8oz Bottle of Demitri’s Chilies and Peppers Bloody Mary Seasoning
(1) 8oz Bottle of Demitri’s Extra Horseradish Bloody Mary Seasoning
(1) Tin of Demitri’s Rim Shot Bloody Mary Salt for your glasses
5 pack of Demitri’s Pepperoni Straws
(2) Demitri’s Printed Pint Glasses

Contest begins May 23, 2013 at 8:00am PST and ends June 01, 2013 at 11:59pm PST.

So many ways to win!
Start by leaving a comment below
sharing your favorite garnish for your Bloody Mary!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comment Below to unlock your chance to win!

Don’t forget to TWEET about the giveaway! You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest, so keep tweeting to supercharge your chances of winning! …and if you’re already a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or Pinterest – you are already eligible for a few entries – so you might as well enter our giveaway! Good luck!

One lucky winner will be announced on our website on June 03, 2013 at 8:00am and will be emailed directly. Winner must contact us within 72 hours to claim prize, or a new winner will be named. You must be 18 years or older and a U.S. resident to win. For complete rules and restrictions, click here.

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

My son turns 2 this month and I’m a sucker for a party. I don’t want to throw something extravagant, but I do want a small gathering that both celebrates him and lets me grab some cute photos of his big day. Last year we threw a travel-themed bash to honor the 24 flights he had been on in 12 months of life, (now his tally’s up to 34!) but this year I want something straight forward and classic. I’m throwing him a small bash that I’ve dubbed ‘Balloons, Balls and Bubbles,’ because what two-year-old doesn’t completely lose their mind over those three things? I’m traveling a lot for work this month, so it has to be something fairly simple that I can throw together in a couple of days, but while I’m on the road, I’m ordering supplies off Amazon and gathering inspiration imagery. Obviously Pinterest is an amazing source of creative inspiration, so here are some of the ideas that are floating my bubble boat at the moment… Check out my full party inspiration board here! I’ll be sharing the final party details with you next week!

Are you throwing a party for any little ones in your life?

[Images are from my Pinterest board and individual links can be found at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

Spring is in full swing! We’re super happy to welcome the warmer weather, which means packing away tights and boots and replacing them with summery flats and lightweight dresses. Update your closet with us and celebrate the spring!

[1] Crochet Tote [2] Wide Brim Hat [3] Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt [4] Lucky Brand Espadrille Flats [5] Knit Wrap Maxi Dress

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

Wedding registries were created in a time when the bride and groom often still lived with their respective parents, their wedding the impetus for moving into a new, unfurnished home together. Registries were a means to guide friends and family in choosing gifts to help fill the kitchen cupboards, make the bed, and to decorate an otherwise bare home.

Nowadays, it’s much more common for the bride and groom to have already moved out of their parents’ houses, living in a place with roommates, or even already living together. For an engaged couple, the prospect of being showered with gifts is extremely exciting, so much so, that it’s easy to get caught creating a mile-long wish list laden with gadgets and appliances they never knew existed until they encountered them with the scanner at the department store. Surely their combined stock of pots and pans, glassware and bath towels could stand an update, but unless they’re serious gourmands, do they really need that set of Ruffoni Copper Cookware?

Here are a few tips on how to keep your registry manageable, honest and to (hopefully) get everything you wish for:

Register at a Variety of Stores

Keep your registry limited to two or three stores with decent price points. Don’t sell yourself short by underestimating guests’ generosity, though avoid listing super high-end shops as their names alone can be off-putting. Consider a universal registry site like Amazon that offers a much wider selection of gift options than typical brick and mortar stores. Universal registries are especially great for adventurous couples who would love a new tent or a pair of kayaks rather than a set of Champagne flutes. Wherever you register, choose gifts within a wide price range. Add a couple of items with a higher price tag, as guests often like to go in on a big group gift together. I’ve definitely given more than one Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer as a group wedding gift.

Include the Basics

Give a thought to your daily routine and what items your home might be lacking. Do you have a full set of dishes and flatware? Linens and towels? Are you really a wine buff, or is that countertop refrigerator cooler going to collect more dust than vintages? It might look really cool in your kitchen, but what about the other eight place settings of flatware you’re still in need of?

Keep It Manageable

The quicker your guests can peruse your registry, the easier their gift decision will be, so keep the list on the shorter side. This way, they won’t spend a ton of time in store or online trying to choose something they think you’ll really love. If the list is modest, you’ll stand a better chance of receiving all the items you picked out. Plus, with a complete (or nearly so) registry, it’s likely you’ll end up with cash or a gift card, which then allows you to pick up whatever you’d like after the wedding. (Like brand new items from the latest catalogue that weren’t out when you registered.)

Consider Color and Design

Sure, that bright Kitchen Aid mixer might be super trendy now, but are you still going to love that shade fifteen years from now? Choose appliances and everyday items with clean lines and classic styles that won’t quickly become dated. Save the bright colors for your decor: linens, placemats, bedding, towels, vases. Typically, these items are replaced more often than flatware and dishes, so rock the fads there.

Build a Nest Egg

If what you really want is help stashing a little cash, find a discreet way to get the word out. Ask your family and bridal party to spread the word when guests inquire. If you have a wedding website with registry info, write a little something about what you’re planning to do with monetary gifts you receive–make down payment for a home, funds for your honeymoon, furniture, etc. Your guests will be more likely to give cash gifts when they know what their money will be spent on.

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

Our readers were so inspired by our Girl Friday interview with instigator provocateur Jenny Mollen Biggs, that we thought you might like to know a little more about goes on in that head of hers. I have known Jenny since high school and while she would gag at my maudlin interpretation of her as my inspiration mood board, she has always inspired me to be a little brave and to laugh at myself every once in a while.  If you missed it, here’s the interview with writer, actress, and schadenfreude connoisseur, Jenny Mollen Biggs. And here are some of her favorite things:

Espresso | Jewish looking guys | S’mores flavored Luna bars | Fancy Hotels | Le Labo parfume

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

No celebration is quite complete without something sweet to eat. Not only do I adore entertaining, but I also love to bake. My mom was an accomplished baker, her chocolate chip cookie recipe is still talked about today among my family and friends. Though cookies were Mom’s specialty, I love to bake layered cakes, delicate pastries, fresh fruit pies… You name it, I’ll bake it. There’s something therapeutic about baking to me. I love losing myself in the focus of precise measurements, the rhythm of dough rolling, concentrating completely on frosting a freshly baked cake. I find such joy in baking, not to mention the oh-so-sweet payoff of tasting such treats once they’ve been made.

I was invited to the recent launch party of the new M•A•C Cosmetics line, “Baking Beauties.” The event was laden with painted ladies, (literally), tables overflowed with gorgeous confections, Champagne bubbles were aplenty, and the perfectly pastel line of new spring makeup on display. My girlfriends and I are in process of planning a happy pregnancy tea party for our dear friend, so I’m pulling inspiration from the latest and lovely M•A•C line. The color palette is just divine! Come party time, I plan to bake up a storm donning my favorite apron, while sneaking dabs of frosting with my Cheery Cheery pale pink pout. (The new Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm is such a treat!) Update your baking routine with a few pretty additions to your kitchen, and brush up your beauty routine with these perfectly pretty pastels from M•A•C!

[1] Measuring Cups from Gewurzhaus [2] Polka Dot Pot Holders from Anthropologie [3] Crystal Cake Stand:  [4] Enamel Cake Server by Jonathan Adler [5] Tea and Crumpets Apron from Anthropologie

Images via Alyssa Boland | Romantiska Hem | M•A•C Cosmetics

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort. Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

If your business card is the standard 2”x 3.5”, it’s time to break out of the box and shape up your card with a die cut design. Using a die cut will not only attract attention, but it will make a bold statement about you and your company. Die cutting can be used either to punch out ornate shapes and patterns, or to create a custom outer shape for your card. Remember, there are no rules. Your business card can be any size, shape or texture. Whether you’re an artist, chef, hairstylist or therapist, the creative possibilities are endless with die cutting.

Here are some business cards to DIE for:

Clockwise from top left:

Artistic Flair | Jimmy’s Iced Coffee | Striking Silhouette | Flighty Farm Fresh | Monkey Business | Strong Shapes | Delicate & Airy | Big Bite

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

My childhood friends and I have a monthly “girls night” that always follows the same tried and true formula: incessantly gabbing while preparing a simple meal, imbibing copious amounts of ever-present Champagne in between laughs, and dishing out life updates over the dining table. These evenings amongst dear friends are to be truly treasured, especially when it happens to be a member of our supper club’s birthday. There is always a little special attention bestowed upon the dining room. (And the fabulous girl we are celebrating, of course!) Extra care is taken to put out handmade place cards at each seat, an elegant floral arrangement of the season’s current blooms is centered on the table under the newly installed sparkling chandelier, while the fine china makes our rustic pasta dish look utterly delectable. The typically passed-by dining room gets a bit of a face lift for the night. While the dining room might be a more formal space that is rarely used nowadays, (since our meals are often eaten in front of the television, the dining table often serves more as a desk cluttered with papers and computers instead of place settings), I thought it would be fun in this month of celebration, to rejoice the room that is dedicated to sharing food, sharing stories and sharing each other.

Take a look at the dining room I am dreaming of to drink, dine and delight my fabulous friends in:

[1] Wisteria Rattan Chair [2] Anthropologie Satellite Chandelier [3] Bubbly Champagne Flues [4] West Elm Gold Flatware [5] Succulent and Floral Centerpiece [6] Blu Dot Strut Dining Table [7] Kate Spade Castle Peak Dinnerware [8] Anthropologie Soda-Lime Pitcher [9] Ferm Living Triangle Napkin [10] Ashley Goldberg Artwork [11] Sugar Paper Gold Cabana Stipe Place Card [12] Ashley Goldberg Artwork

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!

Celebrations are one of the universal human experiences. Across cultures and places, we live through life’s highs and lows. Though mourning is also universal, it’s the unique ways we express joy that captivates my attention as I travel. I’ve been on the road since 2008, and since this month’s theme is celebrate, I knew I wanted to share one of the most beautiful festivals I have been a part of over the years: Thailand’s Loy Krathong celebrations.

Loy Krathong falls at the end of Southeast Asia’s rainy season and it’s a time for giving thanks and for washing away negativity—something I think we can also use in our lives as we move from spring into summer over here in North America. But more than just the event itself, it’s the pieces of the experience that fascinates me, the symbols folded into the celebration that add meaning and tradition.

The making of krathongs is the most prominent part of the festival, and so the locals craft small, delicate rafts, then release them onto the river during the full moon. Like any good celebration, making the krathongs starts by gathering the freshest flowers in season.

My niece and I celebrated this holiday together during the year I homeschooled her from Southeast Asia. I loved watching the little artist in her come out as she meticulously modeled the artful nuances the locals used on their own krathongs, in this case by twisting delicate banana leaves into traditional patterns, then pinning them to the base.

We topped our krathongs off with the usual incense and candles, then added a fun flare of sparklers to make them represent the happiness we hoped to have in the New Year.

As evening settled, we took our krathongs to the riverside, imbued them with all the negativity in our lives as well as all our dreams and gratitude. Then we set them afloat to bob in the gentle current as they moved downriver. The ritual of making and releasing the krathongs was a hands-on way for me to help my niece let go of anything she might be hung up on; it was a journey we made together, alongside the Thais, to set intentions for our coming year.

And as the krathongs, along with all they represented, started their journey, thousands of paper lanterns patterned the sky like floating jellyfish—another symbol of releasing habits, angers, and ideas that no longer serve your life as a new season begins.

We all carry on traditions from past generations or develop new traditions in our lives that represent our own views. One of the gifts travel has given me over the years is the ability to witness the elements of celebrations that other cultures have manifested through centuries of practice. In looking to the elements of celebration I have found creative ways express joy and celebration in my own life.

This May we’re celebrating celebrations! We’ll also share tricks that busy working women like us use to throw memorable bashes with minimal effort.
Follow our Petit Parties and Entertaining Pinterest boards for ‘celebration inspiration’ all year long!